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Relationships

Mumsnet has not checked the qualifications of anyone posting here. If you need help urgently or expert advice, please see our domestic violence webguide and/or relationships webguide. Many Mumsnetters experiencing domestic abuse have found this thread helpful: Listen up, everybody

P cheating, please could somebody help, I don't know what to do (long, sorry!)

870 replies

dismantlethesun · 28/06/2010 07:27

Argh

Background- I was OW briefly. DP told me he and wifey had been separated for 7 years, they had not

We moved in together after 6 months, it became a fiery relationship because he hacked into my emails and read that I had said he was controlling

He banned all friends. He banned relatives. He banned staying 5 mins late at work. Banned certain clothes and shoes. Stopped me progressing in my career.

Began to falsely accuse me of things. Always false. Began to be very violent.

Reverted to old drinking habits. Drinks A LOT.

I got pregnant (one year in) and he got even more violent.

I suspected him of an affair because I found a message on his phone but he denied it then beat me up badly.

I really loved him. He was so good at controlling me, being ver 30 years my senior.

Had DD, he was awful. I told him I was leaving and he said if I left he would lie to social services and say I was a bad mother. I said, but I'm not I'm a great mother, he said 'I have police connections/etc etc they won't believe you'

So I stayed. During that year he nearly killed me with a wine bottle and with other acts of violence. He grabbed DD once when she was crying but I jumped in and fought him off her. He punched me hard in the head and strangled me while I was holding her. When DD was almost 1 she became acutely unwell and was admitted to hospital. She was there for 3 months and then she died.

He was never in the hospital, he was in the pub on his laptop, or somewhere else. He would tell me he was fcking a barmaid, then say he only said it to wind me up, he told me he was fcking a colleague, then said he only said it to wind me up. He would not let me stay in the hospital with DD overnight, because he said if I did he would leave and not pay rent so I'd be homeless (I was on extended maternity leave) and I got scared and thought DD wouldn't be able to be discharged if he did that as we'd have no home to go to. So I stayed.

She died, he turned up briefly to shed a false tear. I got pregnant immediately- I reget this now, but it was a one-off and I was extremely upset.

I went back to work, he became violent again, kicking me in the stomach hard. I bit him (one time) in self defence to get his arms off me as he was holding me down to kick me. The police were called and they let him go because he has 'connections' and he reported my act of defence. The only time I've ever fought back.

Baby was born. Blabla. He's now been made redundant. WE have no s*x life at all because he is so much older and is diabetic so it's pretty useless. But he has always said 'it works fine when I want it to' My grandma died, my best friend died the other week, and DP has destroyed all my other friendships except for a few in Canada.

I have just found a memory stick with his emails on it from work. I looked at it because he indicated he was emailing his wifelet (he wasn't) and he had hidden the stick. I read lots of it, including his sent emails which mentioned a new secret account. I logged in (same password for everything) and he has been having an affair since before DD was born.

WHat do I do?? I am scared. I am in rented accomodation that is more than my full time salary. DC2 is 5mths old. I have no income other than statutory maternity pay. I have no family now really and all my friends gave up 4 years ago. I am 24. I have ruined my career by having babies and being so unprofessional. Hell, I don't even know if I want to be in my career. I want to go back to uni. Or leave the country. Or right now I jjust want to curl up and die, quite frankly.

I honestly do not know how to handle this- he is still married to the ex as well, so I'm not entitled to anything if we split. I have a low income even when working full time. No childcare.

Thanks anyone, he's going to wake up in a minute and I'm going to have to pretend I don't know I really believed him when he said I was his soul mate etc. He said he loved me. I hoped he would change. I am mortified that I have been so stupid and didn't leave when DD was small.

OP posts:
Stray · 29/06/2010 18:42

That is such good news
Thank you CantThinkofFunnyName for keeping us informed

Anniegetyourgun · 29/06/2010 18:42

Oh bless, that's great news.

Cartoose · 29/06/2010 18:43

I know, real life support will strengthen her even more

LimaCharlie · 29/06/2010 18:48

Thanks so much CantThink and well done Dismantle

AnyFucker · 29/06/2010 18:50

Please pass all our support along to her if she is in contact again

piratecat · 29/06/2010 18:51

good news, thankfully she contacted you. well done.

instructionstothedouble · 29/06/2010 18:54

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

LittleMissHissyFit · 29/06/2010 19:03

Second AF, tell her we are all here for her, and thinking of her.

Ineedmorechocolatenow · 29/06/2010 19:06

Wow! That's brilliant!

KerryMumbles · 29/06/2010 19:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

Runoutofideas · 29/06/2010 19:37

That's great news. Hope you can relax a bit now too Can't!

jesuswhatnext · 29/06/2010 19:39

wonderful news, worth having a message deleted for

cantthink - i have no baby stuff, but im sure, if she needs it at some point, i have some household stuff she is very welcome to!

grapeandlemon · 29/06/2010 19:45

omg that is just brilliant news

I have tons of baby stuff and am in SE pls cat me if you need anything whatsoever

stressed2007 · 29/06/2010 19:53

cant over tonight/tomorrow if no one has volunteered yet I will look and make list of those mners who have offered to help and send to you - is that ok? I know there have been various offers on here. I know it may not be necessary but at least you will have a list if it becomes relevant - what do you think?

If you have offered to help a few pages back to make it easier (I will check back from the beginning) please can you posts again here (or mail me) and I will add you to my list. If you want to send me an email address or phone number (don't post any numbers on here) so much the better. All I am going to do is pass to cant. Thanks v much

CantThinkofFunnyName · 29/06/2010 20:06

Hi Stressed - I put my email address on here so have been receiving some messages of assistance, thanks so much. I have also told OP this. Think she is touched to bits about everyone's support actually.

OK - I am definitely feeling more relaxed. Time for a Magners!!

MrsAngry · 29/06/2010 20:12

Well done OP!

And well done Can't. You are one wonderful woman, it's people like you who make MN so great.

swallowedAfly · 29/06/2010 20:15

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

maristella · 29/06/2010 20:51

i am so so pleased Dismantle and her son are safe they absolutely deserve to be
Cant - thank you so much for keeping us posted, you are a diamond and have well earned your magners
Dismantle - life starts now x

Mouseface · 29/06/2010 20:53

SAF - what a lovely post.

I hope the OP does get to read it, and all of the other messages of support and well wishing.

stressed2007 · 29/06/2010 21:02

sorry very confused now. Cant do you want me to go back and list all the offerors or are you happy you have them all? Thanks

mrswill · 29/06/2010 21:03

OP, I hope your ok now, and in a safe place, Ive followed your thread and am so glad to see you've taken the first steps to a new life.

You've had to deal with some terrible things, and I dont have the words to say how much my heart could break for you reading what you've been through at just 24. Life can only get better for you and your son now.
My only advice is to echo some of the other posts, dont be afraid of using agencies like WA etc, they are set up for women like you, can be helpful in the financial sense too, and will actively help you find suitable housing and grants so you can rebuild your life. If you need to access some of these things and dont know were to start, I will be happy to help also, just contact me on here. I work for an agency specialising in DV, and there is a fair amount of help out there if you know where to look.
I have seen plenty of the during and after effects of DV at work, but Ive also seen women recover and form new lives, which they never thought was possible. I think the steps you've taken shows huge courage, and Im in awe of what you've done today. Im winging the very best of luck toward you

Dollytwat · 29/06/2010 21:09

what great news Cant thanks for the update, I feel a whole lot more relieved now.

Dismantle you go girlfriend we all here cheering you on

jardins · 29/06/2010 21:11

You are fab CTFN. Please tell OP.... oh, I cannot find the words to describe the worry, disbelief, and now, admiration I feel for her.

jardins · 29/06/2010 21:14

OH NO!! I didn't mean I felt disbelief in OP! You see; words really do fail me. I meant the awful realisation that has dawned on us on learning all she has endured. Dear girl.

virgomummy · 29/06/2010 21:21

This really is MN at its best. Have been reading all day and am truly in awe at the way when someone really needs help, everyone (with the odd exception) rallies round. Cant - you are amazing, thanks for the updates. I'm probably too far away to be of any real help (yorkshire) but regardless if i can do anything i will.
Thanks to all the inspirational women who have shared their stories and probably played a huge part in giving dismantle the strength to do what she did last night.
Wow - just wow!!
Dismantle - well done and the very best of luck to you, you are so brave. You should be very proud of yourself, and im sure dd and ds would be too.